Back-to-back home matches against Hull and Sheffield will launch 2014-15 ice hockey season at the Big Blue Tent in Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Devils are ready for what looks certain to be one of the club’s most exciting ice hockey seasons in their 28-year history.

A new ownership, new coach and new-look team, blessed with speed, skill and toughness, will make the small ice pad in the Big Blue Tent an arena where opposing teams will fear to tread.

Devils are already gaining a reputation as the most physical team in Elite League and the players have already shown they won’t be bullied this season, but they also have plenty to offer in terms of sheer ability.

All 12 Devils imports are Canadians and they are ready for back-to-back home matches which look certain to attract bumper attendances.

Their clash with Belfast last Sunday was watched by 1,700 spectators, a club record for a friendly fixture over the last decade.

Now Lord’s Devils take on Hull Stingrays in an Elite League match tomorrow before Sheffield Steelers come to South Wales in the Challenge Cup on Sunday.

“We’d love Devils fans to pack the rink for both matches,” says defenceman Carl Hudson, who was man of the match in Cardiff’s 6-4 midweek win against Coventry.

“They are passionate about hockey, they love their team and are really loud.

“Everybody in our locker room wants to see our barn packed – and we’ll do everything we can to make it an exciting start to the season.

“It’s a small rink and we have big bodies on our team. We’re ready for this first weekend of the league season.”

The speed of Devils players on the break has been impressive and, with a full roster of imports, they will be looking to make an impact over this first weekend.

Joey Haddad has already scored a hat-trick in the win against Belfast, while Brent Walton is among those to have impressed among the forwards and Trevor Hendrikx is strong and effective on the blue line.

Yet it’s the team ethic which is key to the Devils’ season. Lord wants every player to be accountable to themselves and each other.

This Devils group have been together for less than a fortnight and yet they have already put smiles on the faces of fans who only a few months ago were yearning for a team to be proud of.

Now they have one and Devils players are out to show, against Hull and Sheffield, this team can produce the sparks and fire to make this one of the most successful seasons in years.

A new ownership, headed up by Canadian businessman Steve King, has fired new life into the Devils, who are likely to have all of their import players available for both matches.

Big defenceman Tyson Marsh was not able to play in the four challenge fixtures, but is bound to be in the Devils team against Hull.

On Sunday, former Devils coach Gerad Adams brings his Sheffield team to Cardiff Bay and will surely be given a standing ovation having spent eight years with the club before being released during last season.

Steelers, whose roster now includes ex-Devil Devin Didiomete, will have a night off tomorrow (Saturday) after their scheduled home match against Dundee was postponed because of a broken ice plant at their home arena, which means they will be fresh coming to face Cardiff Devils.

But Adams will know Steelers, play-off champions under his leadership last season, will be given a fierce welcome by a Devils team intent on starting their season in style.

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